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Start for freeAugustine's Timeless Wisdom in a Modern Context
Augustine, a Christian philosopher who served as the bishop of Hippo for 35 years, left a lasting impact not only on his immediate followers but also on countless generations that followed. Living on the fringes of the declining Roman Empire, Augustine's critical examination of Roman values and society offers profound insights that resonate with our contemporary world, particularly with the modern West and the United States. His critiques and philosophical contributions, especially as presented in his masterpiece The City of God, continue to be relevant, challenging our modern-day values, aspirations, and understanding of human nature.
Critiquing Roman Values: Earthly Happiness and Justice
The Romans were fundamentally optimistic, believing in the power of humans to achieve earthly happiness, justice, and societal perfection. They trusted in technology, human mastery, and the ability to control nature for their own benefit. Writers like Cicero and Plutarch espoused pride, ambition, and confidence in the future—values not dissimilar to those celebrated in modern-day tech hubs like Palo Alto or in publications like Wired. The Roman society was seen as meritocratic, where wealth and fame were considered reflections of inner virtue and worth.
Augustine's Radical Disagreement
Augustine challenged these core Roman beliefs head-on. He introduced the concept of original sin, arguing that all humans are inherently flawed due to the sins of Adam. This flawed nature leads to a 'libido dominandi,' or a desire to dominate, which corrupts our ability to love and clouds our judgment with egoism and pride. Our reasoning is fragile, and we are haunted by lust, constantly chasing after illusions while being beset by anxieties. Augustine's critique extends to the philosophers who naively believed in achieving happiness and bliss through human efforts alone.
The Human Condition: Imperfect by Nature
Augustine's philosophy offers a refreshing, albeit pessimistic, perspective on the human condition. He suggests that our lives are inherently awry not due to specific failures but simply because we are human. Everything we do, including our relationships, careers, and societies, is necessarily imperfect. Augustine invites us to accept the imperfect nature of our existence without rage or a sense of persecution; it's simply the human condition, a result of original sin.
The City of Men vs. The City of God
Augustine distinguished between two cities: the city of men and the City of God. The former represents our flawed earthly society, where wealth and power do not accurately reflect virtue, and true justice is unattainable. The City of God, however, is an ideal future, a heavenly paradise where good, justice, and virtue dominate—a city that humans alone could never build. This distinction underscores Augustine's skepticism towards earthly power and his generosity towards human failure, poverty, and defeat.
Augustine's Enduring Legacy
Augustine's philosophy, particularly his critiques of Roman values and his insights into the human condition, remains deeply relevant in today's world. His skepticism about the possibility of creating a perfect life or society, and his caution against judging others by external markers of success, offer valuable lessons. We don't need to be Christians to appreciate Augustine's contributions to political philosophy and human psychology. His teachings serve as a reminder of the dangers of perfectionism and the importance of being understanding and compassionate towards human imperfection and failure.
Conclusion
In a world that often seems obsessed with success, perfection, and the pursuit of happiness, Augustine's philosophical insights provide a much-needed perspective on the inherent flaws and complexities of human nature. By examining and understanding his critiques of Roman society, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the beauty and significance of embracing our imperfections and the imperfections of the world around us. Augustine's legacy teaches us to be more compassionate, understanding, and realistic about our expectations of ourselves and others, in the City of Men.
